Uppsala-based projects share EUR 600,000 in EIT Health-funding

2018-08-23

EIT Health awards EUR 600,000 in funding to three innovations being developed through research at Uppsala University.

Within the EIT Health Innovation by Idea–call approximately EUR 500,000 is awarded to Albert Mihranyan, professor of nanotechnology and functional materials at Uppsala University, for the project Virus removal filter paper for cost-effective and safe biologics manufacturing. This concerns one of the most challenging and important steps in the manufacture of biological drugs. Mihranyan's group has developed a paper filter that is both cost-effective and has promising performance.
– We want to test the paper filter with our partners under real industrial conditions and with proper biological drugs under development, says Albert Mihranyan about the project, run in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Bayer AG.

Two more Uppsala-based projects receive EUR 50,000 each within the EIT Health Head Start funding program, awarded by the Scandinavian node of EIT Health. The project A superglue for broken bones: a revolutionary tissue repair product is run by Philip Procter, Associate Professor of Applied Materials Science, in collaboration with GPBio.
– We develop a super-glue for legs that is so strong that surgeons can safely and successfully glue together bone fragments and crushed joints. The material is biocompatible and provides immediate carrying power, keeps the fragments in place and speeds up the healing, says Philip Procter.

The second project, Ceramic-based transdermal patch for the management of chronic pain, is run by Susanne Bredenberg, Emplicure, together with Håkan Engqvist, professor of applied materials science at Uppsala University.
– Emplicure is developing a new drug formula that inhibits abuse. Strong opioids against chronic pain are given through the skin with ceramic materials. This ensures that treatment is safer for patients and their families. At the same time, it reduces the risks to public health, as the formula obstructs abuse, for example, by smoking and oral intake, says Susanne Bredenberg.